Container and method of using same

ABSTRACT

An improvement in a container for tubular-like articles and the method of using the improved container, the improvement comprising embodying a plurality of holes in the front and back of the basic container for supplying jets of aeriform fluid to the interior of the container to disturb or agitate, and lubricate the articles contained therein, and a hole opposite a lowermost baffle in the container for supplying a jet of aeriform fluid therethrough to in effect provide a gating means for stopping flow of the articles from the container; and the method comprising the provision of the jets of fluid for the purposes stated.

United States Patent Best et al. July 1, 1975 [54] (IONTAINER AND METHOD OF USING 3,393,797 7/1963 FlOOd 206/328 3,498,497 3/1970 Baxendale et a]. 22 l/295 SAME Inventors: Howard S. Best, Horseheads; Daniel J. Bustraan, Big Flats; Paul H. Philippon, Horseheads, all of NY.

Corning Glass Works, Corning, NY.

Filed: May 17, 1974 Appl. No.: 470,835

[73] Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/l964 Heyer 221/290 X 2/1965 Goran, Jr 22l/290 X Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles W. Gregg; Clarence R. Patty, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An improvement in a container for tubular-like articles and the method of using the improved container, the improvement comprising embodying a plurality of holes in the front and back of the basic container for supplying jets of aeriform fluid to the interior of the container to disturb or agitate, and lubricate the articles contained therein, and a hole opposite a lowermost baffle in the container for supplying a jet of aeriform fluid therethrough to in effect provide a gating means for stopping flow of the articles from the container; and the method comprising the provision of the jets of fluid for the purposes stated.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures IS F,

Ilb

l 24 g i4 25 CONTAINER AND METHOD OF USING SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,393,797, issued July 23, I968 to H. Flood for Electrical Component Handling Device, a container including a front, a back, two sides and an open and a closed end, and a plurality of baffles arranged on the interior surfaces of said front and back to provide a sinusoidal-like pathway or passage between said ends, such pathway being ofa size to permit said articles to normally pass or flow freely therealong due to gravity when the container is vertically disposed with one of said ends as the lower end. When such a container is used for containing and supplying tubular-like articles of a relatively large diameter to a utilization apparatus, for example, and the container is, therefore, vertically disposed with said open end thereof as its lower end, the contained articles can skew or pile up on one another so as to jam and interrupt or prevent the free flow or passage of the articles to the utilization apparatus. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to improve the container of the type mentioned to provide means to prevent said jamming of the container to the extent possible, that is, to aid in said free flow or passage of the articles through and out of the open end ofa container of the type mentioned.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid jet article gating means adjacent said open end of the container, such gating means being intended to replace mechanical gating means which sometimes damage the articles being supplied from the container out of the open end thereof.

Other objects and characteristic features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is believed to be adequately summarized in the foregoing abstract of the disclosure and, therefore, in order to prevent unnecessary redundancy or repetition, no further summary of the invention is considered necessary nor will be given in order to make the present specification as brief as possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 of the drawings is a front elevational view of a container embodying the invention, and a part of a utilization apparatus for articles in such container, such view including a pair of fluid conduits disposed adjacent the front of the container to illustrate the inventive method also disclosed.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of the container of FIG. 1, said fluid conduits not being shown in cross section but being shown, along with a conduit disposed adjacent the back of the container, as connected to a valve for selectively controlling a supply of pressurized fluid to the conduits.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the Figs. of the drawings.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown a container for a plurality of tubular-like articles such as I3 (FIG. 2) and having a front 11, a back I2, first and second sides 18 and I9, and first and second ends 14 and 15, respectively. End is a closed end and end I4 is an open end with the opening therethrough being designated 14a. A plurality of baffles such as 16 are arranged within container 10 on the interior surfaces of front II and back 12 to provide a sinusoidal-like passage or pathway 17 between the ends 14 and 15 of the container. The baffles such as 16 have sloped sides or surfaces, that is, the baffles have, in cross-section, shapes of hollow isoceles triangles as illustrated in FIG. 2. The similarity between the container 10 thus far described and container 10 of the aforecited patent will be readily apparent from brief views of the drawings figures of said patent and those of the present application.

A plurality of holes such as Ila and 12a are embodied in and extend through the walls of front and back 11 and 12, respectively, of container 10, such holes being on the vertical centerline of said walls when the container is vertically disposed with the ends 14 and 15 thereof being at the bottom and top of the container, respectively, and there being one such hole immediately above the then upper side or surface of each said baffle such as 16. Another hole 11b is embodied in and extends through the wall of front I] on said centerline and immediately below a lower baffle and preferably below the lowermost baffle on the interior surface of front 11 and opposite the corresponding baffle on the interior surface of back 12 when container I0 is vertically disposed as stated. The lowermost point of such other hole 11b vertically extends at least to substantially the horizontal line of the apex of said lower battle on the interior surface of back 12 and, when such other hole 11b is below the lowermost baffle on front 11, said lowermost point preferably extends downwardly to the opening 14a in end 14 of the container as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, hole Ilb may be of a smaller size than that shown, as long as the center of the hole is generally opposite the perimeter of a leading one of the plurality of articles such as 13 in pathway 17 and resting on said lower baffle, such as 16, on the interior surface of back 12 of container 10.

When using container 10 for supplying contained tubular-like articles such as 13 to a utilization apparatus, such container is vertically disposed with the opening 14a in open end 14 of the container adjacent the upper end of a channel or passage 20a in an article receiving part 20 of a utilization apparatus (FIGS. I and 2) such passage corresponding in size or horizontal length thereof to the distance between the interior surface of sides 18 and 19 of container 10. Container 10 may, for example, be supported in its said position by members or clamps such as 24 and 25 which may be made of a resilient metal for example and, between which, end 14 of container 10 is inserted as shown in the drawings. The lower parts of members or clamps 24 and 25 are fastened in any convenient manner to the ends of part 20 of said utilization apparatus as also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is pointed out that the utilization apparatus or part 20 thereof do not, per se, form part of the present invention. Container 10 is inserted or pushed down between clamps or clamping members 24 and 25 until end 14 abuts against the upper end of article receiving part 20 and the corresponding end of passage or channel 20a embodied in such article receiving part, as mentioned above.

A pressurized fluid conduit 23 having a jet nozzle 230 on one end thereof is shown positioned or disposed so that the jet orifice in such nozzle is directed generally at the center of the hole 11b adjacent lower end 14 of container so that a jet of pressurized fluid issuing from such orifice will impinge on the perimeter of a leading one of the plurality of articles such as 13 in pathway 17 of container 10 as previously mentioned and as further discussed hereinafter. The second end of conduit 23 is shown connected to a first pressurized fluid output port of an electric solenoid actuated and spring return pressurized fluid flow control valve SV, shown in FIG. 2 in a conventional manner and discussed hereinafter in more detail.

A pair of fluid conduits 21 and 22 are each provided with a plurality of jet nozzles such as 210 and 22a, respectively, which are spaced apart along part of the length of each respective conduit a distance equal to the distance between the holes such as 110 and 12a in front and back 11 and 12, respectively, ofcontainer 10. Conduit 21 is shown positioned or disposed so that the jet orifices in the nozzles such as 210 are directed generally at the centers of the holes such as 110 in front 11 of container 10. Similarly the orifices in the jet nozzles such as 22a of conduit 22 are directed generally at the centers of the holes such as 120 in back 12 of container 10. First ends of conduits 21 and 22 are hermetically closed near the lowermost nozzle of each such conduit by caps such as 2112 and 2212, respectively. The second ends of conduits 21 and 22 are shown joined or connected with each other and then connected to a second fluid output port of the aforesaid valve SV. This is discussed below in more detail.

Electric solenoid valve SV has first and second electric solenoid windings SW1 and SW2, respectively, and first and second valve return springs S1 and S2, respectively. An input port of valve SV is connected over a conduit 26 to a suitable source of pressurized fluid, such as compressed air for example. Such source is not shown in the drawings for purposes of simplification thereof. A suitable source of electric direct current of proper voltage and capacity for the energization of windings SW1 and SW2 is provided but such source is not shown in the drawings also for purposes of simplification thereof. Such source may, for example, be a battery whose positive and negative terminals are designated B and N, respectively. It is also pointed out that another one of the ports of valve SV is connected to a fluid sink designated SK. This will also be discussed further hereinafter.

There is shown in FIG. 2 a three way electric circuit controlling switch SW having a movable contact member a and fixed contact points or members b and c to or against which said member a can be moved to close electrical circuits. Movable contact member a is connected to aforesaid terminal B of the previously mentioned current source and such contact member is shown in a neutral or middle position between contact members or points [1 and c of switch SW. When contact member a of switch SW is moved into contact with contact member b of such switch, an electrical circuit is completed to winding SW1 of valve SV, such circuit extending over said contact members to said winding SW] and through such winding to the aforesaid terminal N of the current source. Similarly when contact member a of switch SW is moved into contact with contact member c of the switch, an electrical circuit is completed to winding SW2 of valve SV, such circuit extending over said contact members to said winding SW2 and through such winding to aforesaid terminal N of the current source.

OPERATIONAL EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION Prior to inserting or pushing the end 14 of a container such as 10, holding a plurality of articles such as 13, between the clamps or clamping members such as 24 and 25 on part 20, movable contact member a of switch SW is actuated from its neutral or middle position shown in FIG. 2 to in contact with fixed contact member b and solenoid winding SW1 is thereby energized to actuate valve SV to the right (viewing FIG. 2) against the spring force of spring S2 of the valve. Such actuation connects, through valve SV, conduit 23 to conduit 26 and conduits 21 and 22 to fluid sink SK. Pressurized fluid flows from the aforesaid source thereof through said conduits 26 and 23 to issue as a fluid jet from jet nozzle 23a at the end of conduit 23. End 14 of a container such as 10 is then inserted or pushed between clamps or clamping members 24 and 25, and the articles such as 13 in the container tend to flow by gravity through pathway 17 in container 10. However, the jet of pressurized fluid issuing from jet nozzle 23a is then directed through hole 11b in front 11 of container 10 to impinge against a leading one or ones of the articles such as 13 to, in effect, provide a closed gating means for said articles, said leading one or ones of the articles such as 13 being held or stopped from movement to opening 14a in end 14 by said jet of pressurized fluid impinging against such article or articles and each succeeding article following the leading one or ones thereof being in turn held or stopped from similar movement by each preceding article, as is believed readily apparent.

After the container such as 10 is fully inserted or placed with opening 14a of end 14 of the container adjacent or joining with passage or channel 200 in part 20 of the utilization apparatus and such apparatus is ready to receive a succession of the articles such as 13 from container 10, movable contact member a of switch SW is moved from in contact with fixed contact member b of the switch to deenergize winding SW1 of valve SV and such member a is moved into contact with fixed contact member 6 of switch SW to energize winding SW2 of the valve. Upon the interruption of the circuit to winding SW1 of valve SV, spring S2 returns the valve to its neutral or center position and the supply of pressurized fluid to conduit 23 is interrupted, thereby, in effect, opening the gating means to permit the articles such as 13 in the container 10 to flow through pathway 17 in the container, and out of opening in container end 14 and into passage or channel 200 in part 20 of the utilization apparatus.

The aforesaid movement of member a of switch SW into contact with fixed contact member c of such switch energizes winding SW2 of valve SV and such valve is thereby actuated to the left (viewing FIG. 2) against the force of spring S1 of valve SV. Such actuation of valve SV connects, through such valve, conduits 21 and 22 to conduit 26 and thence to the aforesaid source of pressurized fluid while conduit 23 is connected through the valve to sink SK. Such fluid flows through said conduits 26, 21 and 22 to issue, from the jet nozzles such as 21a and 22a, as pressurized fluid jets and through the holes such as 11a and 12a in front 11 and back 12 of container 10. Such jets of pressurized fluid agitate or disturb the articles such as 13 in said container and, at the same time, in effect, lubricate the articles, such agitation and lubrication substantially aiding the free flow of the articles through pathway 17 in container by substantially preventing any skew between the articles and any faulty pile-ups thereof which may cause jamming of pathway 17 and thereby hindering or preventing said free flow. In addition, it may be found to be expedient, but not necessary to the operation described, to vibrate or supply vibration to part 20 of the utilization apparatus and, thereby, to the container 10 held by the clamps or clamping members such as 24 and 25 to further aid in preventing any jamming of pathway 17 in container 10.

Following the passage of all of the articles such as 13 through opening 14a in end 14 of container 10, such container is removed or pulled from between clamps or clamping members 24 and 25 in preparation for insertion of a next or another container 10 between such members. However, prior to such insertion, movable member a of switch SW is actuated from its position in contact with fixed contact member 0 of the switch to deenergize winding SW2 of valve SV which is then actuated to its middle or neutral position by spring S1 of the valve. Movable contact member a of switch SW is again actuated into contact with fixed contact member b of the switch to again cause a jet of aeriform fluid to issue from jet nozzle 23a to provide the closed gate effect to the articles such as 13 in said other or next container 10 to be inserted between said clamps or clamping members.

It is pointed out that said contacts a, b and c of switch SW could be contacts of a three position electrically polarized relay which is selectively and automatically energized by a suitable control system, or switch SW could be a three-position manually actuated switch. Alternatively, a manually actuated valve could be used, in place of the valve SV, for selectively controlling a supply of pressurized fluid to conduit 23, or to conduits 21 and 22.

Although there is herein shown and described only one type of a container embodying the invention and only one method for using such a container, it will be understood that various changes may be made therein within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container for tubular-like articles and including front, back, two sides and one end enclosed with the end opposite the enclosed end being open and a due to gravity, the improvement comprising;

A. a plurality of holes embodied in and extending through the walls of said front and back of said container with one such hole located immediately above the center of the upper surface of each said baffle when the container is vertically disposed with said open end being the lower end thereof, said holes being provided for issuing jets of aeriform fluid therethrough to provide an agitation and lubrication effect to articles in said container and thereby aid in free flow of such articles; and

B. a hole embodied in and extending through one of said walls of said container opposite one of said baffles near said lower end of the container, such hole being provided on the vertical centerline of said wall for issuing a jet of aeriform fluid therethrough for stopping a leading article of said articles and thereby stopping said free flow of all ofthe articles.

2. The method of supplying tubular-like articles to a utilization apparatus, such method comprising;

A. depositing said articles in a container having a front and a back, two sides, an open bottom end and a closed end, a plurality of baffles arranged on the interior surfaces of said front and back to provide a sinusoidal-like pathway for said articles between said closed and open ends, a plurality of holes embodied in and extending through the walls of said container with one such hole immediately above the center of the upper surface of each said baffle, and a hole embodied in and extending through one of said walls of said container opposite the horizontal center of a lower one of said baffles when the container is vertically disposed;

B. issuing a first jet of pressurized fluid through said hole opposite a lower one of said baffles to impinge against a leading article of said articles and thereby hold such article and the following articles in said container when supplying thereof to said utilization apparatus is to be stopped; and

C. terminating said first jet and issuing a jet of pressurized fluid through each of said plurality of holes to provide an agitation and lubrication effect to said articles to aid in their flow by gravity out of said open end and their supply to said utilization apparatus, said jets being terminated and said first jet being reissued when said supply of articles to said utilization apparatus is again to be stopped.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 and inplurality of baffles arranged on the interior surfaces of cluding the further step of vibrating said container said front and back to provide a sinusoidal-like pathway between said ends, such pathway being of a size to permit said articles to pass or flow therealong freely when said articles are to be supplied to said utilization apparatus. 

1. In a container for tubular-like articles and including front, back, two sides and one end enclosed with the end opposite the enclosed end being open and a plurality of baffles arranged on the interior surfaces of said front and back to provide a sinusoidal-like pathway between said ends, such pathway being of a size to permit said articles to pass or flow therealong freely due to gravity, the improvement comprising; A. a plurality of holes embodied in and extending through the walls of said front and back of said container with one such hole located immediately above the center of the upper surface of each said baffle when the container is vertically disposed with said open end being the lower end thereof, said holes being provided for issuing jets of aeriform fluid therethrough to provide an agitation and lubrication effect to articles in said container and thereby aid in free flow of such articles; and B. a hole embodied in and extending through one of said walls of said container opposite one of said baffles near said lower end of the container, such hole being provided on the vertical centerline of said wall for issuing a jet of aeriform fluid therethrough for stopping a leading article of said articles and thereby stopping said free flow of all of the articles.
 2. The method of supplying tubular-like articles to a utilization apparatus, such method comprising; A. depositing said articles in a container having a front and a back, two sides, an open bottom end and a closed end, a plurality of baffles arranged on the interior surfaces of said front and back to provide a sinusoidal-like pathway for said articles between said closed and open ends, a plurality of holes embodied in and extending through the walls of said container with one such hole immediately above the center of the upper surface of each said baffle, and a hole embodied in and extending through one of said walls of said container opposite the horizontal center of a lower one of said baffles when the container is vertically disposed; B. issuing a first jet of pressurized fluid through said hole opposite a lower one of said baffles to impinge against a leading article of said articles and thereby hold such article and the follOwing articles in said container when supplying thereof to said utilization apparatus is to be stopped; and C. terminating said first jet and issuing a jet of pressurized fluid through each of said plurality of holes to provide an agitation and lubrication effect to said articles to aid in their flow by gravity out of said open end and their supply to said utilization apparatus, said jets being terminated and said first jet being reissued when said supply of articles to said utilization apparatus is again to be stopped.
 3. The method in accordance with claim 2 and including the further step of vibrating said container when said articles are to be supplied to said utilization apparatus. 